Subtlety (Dogtooth x Reader)

Dogtooth
(Charlotte Katakuri)

"How much longer until we arrive, Alexander?" A (Hair Color) haired woman breathes.

"Not long, Princess. Are you... unwell? Should I stop and search for a physician?" The brunette butler asked concernedly.

"No! Under no circumstance are you to stop this carriage! Tis better to be on time and ill than to show up late or not at all! Even if, by some strange circumstance, I should die in this carriage, take my corpse to her so that she does not assume I am a no-show. Lord knows what would happen back home if she thought that I blew off her tea party."

"But, Princess (Name), you've been under the weather since Sir Capone delivered the invitation. What's more, Lord Dogtooth would surely be able to talk her out of destroying the kingdom, would he not?" (Name) sighed before laying down on her side.

"Dogtooth might be able to, but why should he? As his fiancé I am expected to make it to the party; come Hell or high water. Hmm... Have I truly been ill since Bege came calling?" Alexander nodded.

"Yes, m'lady, you have. Perhaps that swine put something in your food or drink while I wasn't looking." (Name) sighed frustratedly as she sat up.

"Come off it, Alexander. Bege is an old friend of my father's; he has no reason to want me dead. Especially when he's got much bigger fish to fry. It must have been someone else; we did have security relax when he came by, after all. Besides, Big Mom would be furious if he poisoned me BEFORE she got her hands on my kingdom. Ugh..." (Name) placed her head in her hands and tried to block out the carriage's swaying.

"I think I am going to be sick." She muttered. Alexander glanced back at (Name) and sighed.

"Perhaps some bread will settle your stomach, m'lady?" He suggested as he pointed to his bag. (Name) paused to consider it before going a little green.

"I don't think I'll be able to hold it down.... Ugh, this party is going to be absolute Hell."

"Yes, I imagine the excess of sweets will be enough to turn even a healthy man's stomach." Smirking slightly when a thought occurred to him, Alexander looked back at (Name) once more. "I wonder though, would a jellybean still be too much for you to handle?"

"While I know what it is you're really referring to, yes the thought of sweet anything is making me even more nauseous. Hmm?" She hummed when Whole Cake Chateau came into view. "Good, perhaps I can slip into the infirmary before the party starts."

"Look! It's Princess (Name)!" Alexander turned toward the buzzing crowd and smiled.

"Smile, Princess, you're being watched." (Name) waved cordially and smiled. Holding her hand out, (Name) conjured an etherial, (Favorite Color) butterfly. As the butterfly took flight, it split into hundreds of other butterflies and fluttered through the crowds. Smiling cheerfully, (Name) waved once more before sitting back in her seat. Hearing the 'ooh's and 'ahh's made her grin before she paled and groaned.

"Ugh... And we're back to square one."




"Whoa! Whoa!" Alexander called as he stopped the carriage. "M'lady, we've arrived."

"I'm well aware..." (Name) sighed as she stepped off the carriage. Glancing up at the large cake castle, the princess paled once again and frowned.

"Princess! Look out!" (Name) turned when she sensed the presence from above and behind her and gasped.

"Die, wench!" Before the assassin could hit (Name), he was shot from somewhere behind (Name).

'A jellybean? Oh, I see...' Blood splattered across (Name's) face and cloak and she scowled.

"You're a great fool, you are. Making an attempt on my life so close to Whole Cake Chateau? You might as well have killed yourself for all the good this has done. Not that you can hear me anymore, of course." She growled as Alexander scurried over and began fussing.

"*Cough*... Up... Yours." (Name) turned her attention back to the now dying assassin.

"Well I'll be... You're still alive, Assassin? Good, tell me why you've done this." (Name) demanded as her butler began dabbing at her face.

"You're.... *Cough Cough*... A traitorous whore, that's why." Waving Alexander away, (Name) walked closer to the dying man.

"Everything I do, I do for the prosperity and safety of the kingdom. It was the will of my father and his father before him and so on." She told him calmly as he glared heatedly at her.

"Burn in Hell." Sighing, (Name) shrugged and turned to walk away.

"Leave him to die, Alexander. An immediate death is too good for such filth." Letting out a ragged laugh, the assassin struggled to push himself onto his elbows. Looking at him over her shoulder, (Name) raised an eyebrow, curiously.

"How can someone as sadistic as you... *Cough Cough*... Be our future queen? You haven't the right to rule, you war-mongering bitch."

"You insolent worm! Know your pla—!" Setting a gentle hand on her butler's shoulder, (Name) sauntered over to the man, all the while sensing her savior stalking closer and closer.

"Honestly, did you ever pay any attention in school?" She started as she dug the heel of her high-heel into the assassin's wound. Falling back again, the man cried out in pain. "As a princess I must be sophisticated and compassionate; as the great granddaughter of the First King— who, if you don't already know, was a Mafia Don— I must also be sadistic and cunning. Survival of the fittest and all that. Capiché?"

"Ugh..." The man groaned before letting out a string of expletives.

"My, my... Are you alright, Sweet One?" Blinking at the nickname, (Name) smiled slightly before turning to the man who addressed her.

"Lord Perospero! It's wonderful to see you again; and yes, I am fine. This man was too daft to realize that attacking me here would be suicide. Also..." She looked up at the top of her carriage and smiled brightly. "Thank you for saving me, Lord Dogtooth."

"Heh..." The assassin began weakly, watching warily as Dogtooth hopped down to (Name's) side. "This is the man you're to marry? Good, you're perfect for one another."

"Elaborate, now." (Name) commanded, crossing her arms with a frown.

"Where better for a sadistic cow like you, than here with a family of mons—! Mmph!"

"I'll take any name or any curse you would place upon me, but attacking the people who saved our kingdom— verbally or otherwise— is not something I'll stand for! This family... I owe them my life, as do you and every other person back home." (Name) growled, her heel now in the man's mouth. She could see blood filling his mouth and pulled her foot away, but just before she could move it next to her other foot, the assassin coughed and spit the blood on her.

"Red.... Suits you... Princess." The assassin wheezed out as she glared at him.

"Leave him, Alexander. Perhaps a slow and torturous death will help him remember to use his brain in the next life." (Name) huffed when her butler went to kill the assassin. "Great, I'm covered in this filth's blood and the party's going to start soon."

"Oh? Who told you that, Sweet One? You two are actually rather early." Perospero informed the fuming princess. She gave her butler a look.

"Well, m'lady, you have a tendency to move at a leisurely pace when you believe you have plenty of time; I simply thought you'd like to get here early in case any mishaps occurred." Sighing, (Name) nodded.

"Yes, well, I suppose it's a good thing you did that; I refuse to meet our hostess covered in blood and filth."

"Well then, I'll take care of this 'trash'. Dogtooth will show you to your room, Lady (Name)." (Name) bowed her head in thanks before trailing after her stoic fiancé.



"M'lady, perhaps you should say something? After all it has been a while since you've seen one another." Alexander whispered in her ear. Raising an eyebrow, (Name) made no effort to quiet her voice when she responded.

"Normally I'd agree with you, Alexander, but Lord Dogtooth is not one for idle chatter. So, why pester the man?" Alexander blushed when he realized he spoke out of turn.

"Y-Yes, I suppose you're right. My apologies." They continued to walk on in silence with (Name) occasionally glancing at Dogtooth's neutral face.

"Are you ill?" Dogtooth suddenly asked. (Name) tensed slightly before shaking her head.

"I can't say for certain, but I haven't been feeling too well for a while now. Why do you ask?"

"You're pale. The infirmary isn't too far from your room." (Name) smiled slightly to herself.

"Well, thank you for the information. If I begin feeling too ill, I'll be sure to head there." Seeing him nod from the corner of her eye, (Name) looked at the hall they were in. The doors were rather spread apart, giving her the impression that the rooms were large. When Dogtooth stopped, (Name) noticed that there was only one room across from hers and vaguely wondered whose it was.

"This is your room. Yes, you have plenty of time to clean up." He told her, using his Haki to see (Name's) question. (Name) pouted slightly, she hated it when he did that.

"Thank you, Lord Dogtooth. Um, if I may, has Sir Bege arrived?"

"Rook Bege is here as the head of security, he too is currently getting ready, however." He told her shortly.

"Oh, well if he's in charge of security, I suppose I feel a bit better about being unarmed." Alexander murmured. (Name) chuckled lightly and nodded.

"Well, I should go get cleaned up now. Thank you again for escorting us." (Name) said with a slight bow. Dogtooth gave a curt nod before heading back the way they came.

"Guard her room." She heard him grunt to one of the guards at the end of the hall.

"Hmph, I still don't think he likes you very much." Alexander grunted huffily. (Name) laughed incredulously.

"What? How come?" Alexander rolled his eyes as he led her to the bathroom and helped her disrobe.

"The man hardly ever speaks to you and when he does, it's so formal and short that... Well, it is an arranged marriage so saying its forced would be..."

"Redundant?" She said when he could not find the right word.

"Yes. What's more, he doesn't even show you the slightest bit of affection. Sir Bege and Lady Chiffon are practically oozing public affection when compared to what he shows you." (Name) chuckles heartily as she sits in the tub.

"He's a subtle man, Alexander! With him, it's the little things that count the most." Rolling up his sleeves, Alexander knelt behind (Name) and sighed.

"Really? Because I have yet to see a single loving action; large or small." (Name) frowned slightly as he scrubbed her back.

"Oh? I've counted at least three so far: taking down the assassin, showing concern for my health, leaving a guard outside my room—"

"Please, Princess, even you're not that naïve. It's a political marriage! If you die before he can take the throne, then he and the rest of this family will have to take what they want from our kingdom by force. And why take by force what you can own through marrying the princess? It would be a waste of time and resources, starting a war for... Whatever it is they want that we have. In short, everything he does that you find 'affectionate' is more than likely him making sure you survive until your wedding." (Name's) frown deepened as she turned around to look Alexander in the eye.

"I'm afraid this is where we'll have to agree to disagree, Alexander. If you want to be the more 'realistic' of us two, then so be it. I'd like there to be one thing in life that I can be a little naïve over. Now, I can handle things from here; go get ready."

"I just... I don't want you to get hurt, but you're right I should go get ready now. Call for me if you need me, your Majesty." Alexander told her with a bow. As soon as he closed the door, (Name) let out a sad sigh.

"What's the matter, dear?" (Name) jumped in surprise at the sudden voice. Glancing in the direction of the door, she blinked and relaxed.

"Lady Door, you startled me."

"My apologies... So? What's got you down?" (Name) considered the door for a moment before relenting.

"Aside from being possibly poisoned by some unknown assassin? What if Alexander was right? What if I'm only the means to an end for Lord Dogtooth? I mean, I stand by what I said, but....was that just wishful thinking?"

"Does it really matter that much to you?" (Name) gawked at the living door.

"Of course it matters! This marriage is the only good thing I have to look forward to in life! Every other day it's assassination attempts and civil war and financial crises! I don't want to get my hopes up, just for it to be a loveless marriage, but at the same time I don't want to go into this expecting the worst! I just... I just want things to go back to the way they were. Back when I was—" The princess stopped as she began having a violent coughing fit.

"Miss?! Are you alright?!" (Name) waved her hand, not glancing back at the living door.

"Yes, yes, I'm fine. I just... Inhaled some spit... That didn't sound too lady-like." She said, glaring down at the blood in her hand. Wiping her face with her clean hand, (Name) ran them both through the water and stood before heading to the shower.

"Hmm... You mentioned civil war?" The door pried.

"Yes. It seems many oppose my engagement to Lord Dogtooth. It's split my kingdom right down the bloody middle. What they don't seem to realize, is that— based off of what Alexander said— if Lady Charlotte does not get what she wants through our marriage, she'll take it by force. That is something I simply cannot allow to happen to my home. Which in turn means that I cannot allow myself to be killed. Destroying the opposing faction is the only option I'm left with." (Name) told her with a sigh. Seeing that she had unintentionally depressed the princess, the door thought of a way to cheer her up.

"Well, if it's any consolation, I'm with you on the whole 'Lord Dogtooth loving you' thing." (Name) glanced back at the door at that.

"Oh?"

"Yep. I heard from your bedroom door, who heard from the bedroom door across the hall, that — whenever he's here— Lord Dogtooth often times stares out at sea. It's almost as if he's hoping your ship will come over the horizon." (Name) sweat dropped.

"That really doesn't prove anything. He could be thinking about anything while he does that, you know. But... Thanks for trying to cheer me up." (Name) turned off the water, wrapped a towel around her body and left the bathroom.

"Ready to get dressed, m'lady?" Alexander asked, already dressed very handsomely.

"Yes, of course. Also, make sure it's something nice. Because, while the saying is 'the clothes make the MAN', it doesn't mean woman can be complete slobs. As Sir Bege would surely say." (Name) giggled lightly as her butler dug through her luggage.

"Here we are... And the usual hairstyle, I presume?"

"Yes, of course."

---*Timeskip*---

"Ah! Look at you, Princess (Name)! You've grown so much since the last Tea Party! Mamamama!" Big Mom laughed when (Name) came walking in gracefully. Bowing her head slightly, (Name) responded.

"Thank you, Lady Charlotte. You are looking rather sprightly yourself."

"Oh please, dear, you'll be my daughter-in-law here soon; call me Mama."

"Yes, of course, Mama. I must apologize though, I would have greeted you sooner, but I had to freshen up a bit. I hope you can forgive the delay." The Yonko raised an eyebrow.

"Oh? Have you been here long? Whatever could have delayed you so?"

"A bit of a mishap. Some 'trash', I should say." At that moment, Perospero came in and nodded in affirmation.

"Yes, and that 'trash' has been dealt with. You'll not be bothered by him anymore, Sweet One." (Name) curtsied.

"Thank you kindly, Sir Perospero." Big Mom laughed once more.

"She's so polite! Ah, but, I'm afraid there are still things I need to attend to. So, if you'll excuse me." With that, she left (Name) to chat with the other members of the Charlotte Family and the guests.

"If I may, Lord Perospero, how did you deal with him? Nothing too quick, I hope." Licking his lollypop, Perospero chuckled sadistically.

"Taffy stretcher." Was all he said before gently nudging her toward Dogtooth. "He's been waiting for you, you know."

"Ah yes, well, I'll head over there then." (Name) said awkwardly.

'Alright, (Name), don't let what Alexander said bother you. Stick to your guns and everything'll be alright.' Sitting down beside the man in question, (Name) fidgeted slightly before feeling Alexander's comforting hand on her shoulder.

"Feeling better?" (Name) squeaked lightly when Dogtooth suddenly spoke.

"Y-Yes, much better. That bath was... er, very relaxing."

"Really? You still look ill." (Name) pouted at that.

"I said 'relaxing' not 'magical'." She replied, causing Dogtooth to raise an eyebrow slightly while Alexander bit his lip to hold back the laughter. Clearing his throat slightly, Alexander leant down to speak into (Name's) ear.

"Perhaps some food will bring some color back to your face?" (Name) held back a grimace.

"Yeah, the color green. If they have it, get me some wa—" She stopped mid-sentence when a glass of water was held out in front of her.

"Here." Dogtooth grunted. (Name) blinked at the glass before gently grabbing it.

"Thank you." She said before taking a hesitant sip. When she pulled the glass back slightly, her eyes widened to see blood swirling around. Before anyone could see it, she quickly chugged down the rest.

"That wasn't very lady-like, your Majesty." Alexander pointed out, his eyes darting around to see if anyone noticed.

"Shut up and go get me some bread." (Name) said through clenched teeth, her voice quiet but higher pitched in nervousness. After her butler left, a few guests called her over to talk.

"So, Princess, I heard that your country is in the middle of a civil war; is that true?" (Name) smiled politely.

"Unfortunately. But I'm sure my people and I can come to an understanding soon enough. Why do you ask?" The guest smirked slightly.

"Well, I simply figured that if that was the case, you'd be there fighting— as I've heard you do— instead of relaxing here, at the Tea Party." Ignoring her desire to strangle the instigator, (Name) continued to calmly smile.

"Well, as you're well aware, I am the PRINCESS not the queen. That is a title my mother still holds. She is more than enough to handle the rebels. And as we all know very well, it's bad manners to refuse an invitation from Mama."

---*With Dogtooth*---

"So, is there a reason your bride-to-be is so sickly looking?" Smoothie asked her brother as they watched (Name) chat with the other guests.

"She's been poisoned." He answered simply as he thought about the blood he'd seen in her water.

"Oh dear, and she hasn't thought to go to the infirmary?" Smoothie asked, not a hint of concern in her voice.

"She's stubborn." He watched as the princess' smiled twitched at a comment one of the guests made. He frowned slightly when Alexander returned empty-handed and whispered something in (Name's) ear before pointing at the door. He couldn't make out much, but after focusing on their lips, he gathered that Bege had requested Alexander's assistance outside. Excusing himself, Dogtooth followed Alexander, discreetly hopping to the top of the entrance and watching.

"So, how are things with you and Lord Dogtooth~?" He heard someone ask (Name).  

"Ah, well, as good as one can expect with what little time I've had to spare these last couple of years. Between Father's death and this civil war, I'm afraid I've neglected Lord Dogtooth quite a bit."

"Not that he minds though, right?" Dogtooth shifted slightly.

"Whether or not my lack of contact bothers him is not for me to say. All I know is that I wish— for my own sake— that I had been able to speak with him more often." The guest scoffs lightly.

"I mean no offense, but it's an arranged marriage; I hardly think he'd be bothered by your lack of contact. Really, I don't understand why it is that you are." (Name) frowns and shakes her head disapprovingly.

"Arranged or not, marriage is a partnership. Cooperation is key to any relationship, be it romantic or otherwise. Whether or not we love one another is a separate matter, but I'd like to have some semblance of understanding and trust between Lord Dogtooth and myself." Dogtooth smirked slightly at the stunned look on the guest's face before focussing on the threat that had just approached the door.

"Open the gates! I won't submit to the body check!" Jigra demanded.

"I'm sorry, sir, but we simply can't have that." Bege grunted, a cigar clenched between his teeth as he eyed the guest suspiciously.

"Is Big Mom already inside?! I received an invitation for the last party, too, but..." The man shifts in an attempt to look innocent. "But I simply couldn't attend!"

"...." Bege continued to eye Jigra in silence.

"I had to attend my mother's funeral! And that's what I wrote in my letter back to Big Mom! And do you know what she sent me?!" Jigra asked, sounding more crazed with every word. Before he could continue, however, he was sent flying backwards; this knocked his gun out of his hand as he fell to the ground.

"OI! WHO THE HELL SHOT HIM?! THAT'S A GUEST, DAMN IT!" Bege growled angrily, spinning around to glare at his men.

"This is how the exchange would have went. 'And do you know what she sent me?! The head of my father, who should have been in the hospital! I'm here to get revenge!'" Dogtooth called from his perch as Bege glanced nervously up at him. "'Open the gates!' Then he'd have fired. 'Bang bang!' And two of your subordinates would have been shot dead."

"Commander Dogtooth!" One of Bege's subordinates called out in surprise.

"So, before all that happened, I threw one of my jellybeans at him. Tell me, was that mistaken, Rook Bege? Tell Mama that this was my decision. You will now reply 'I see... That's fine, then.'" Bege swallowed thickly, sweat trickling down the side of his face.

"I see... That's fine, then." With that Dogtooth hopped back down and made to join (Name).

---*With (Name)*---

'Where is he?' She thought as she discreetly glanced around for her butler. Looking toward the entrance, (Name) swallowed slightly nervously as the Emperors of the Underworld made their way into the crowd. Watching as they stopped to get their drinks from Smoothie, (Name) almost didn't notice Dogtooth walk up beside her.

"The butler's not back?" Without looking at him, the princess replied.

"No, you should know that, you were following him." Dogtooth crossed his arms over his chest.

"What did Rook Bege need him for?" (Name) shrugged lightly.

"He simply said that Bege had something for him and that he'd be right back. What happened out there that required your attention, if I may ask?" (Name) asked.

"An assassin aiming to take Mama's head as revenge for his father paying the price for his negligence." (Name) scoffed lightly.

"Great, big fool; him and anyone else who had and will have the gall to ignore her invitation. Honestly, I came last time in my father's stead when I should have been at his funeral, so whatever that assassin was doing surely could have been put on hold." She snorted before glancing over at the staircase and watched as Big Mom stepped out.

"Everyone, thank you for coming from near and far! Look to your right! And now your left! Everything you see is a sweet treat! And be sure to enjoy! Enjoy EVERYTHING that happens here today!" She announced, her arms spread out wide.

Dogtooth goes back to his seat and begins mingling with some of the guests. (Name) also re-engages in conversing with the other guests. After awhile, she notices one of the Homies bringing in the picture of Mother Caramel. As anyone could predict, there was one unlucky fool dumb enough to pry into Big Mom's personal life and get knocked out by her Haki. In an attempt to keep Big Mom appeased, one of the Emperors of the Underworld mentioned that he had a gift for the hostess and the bride-to-be. (Name) gasped internally when a thought struck her.

"Oh! Will you excuse me for a moment? I have something important to give to our hostess." Dogtooth vaguely heard (Name) say to the guest she'd been talking to before seeing her walk over to Big Mom and the Emperors of the Underworld.

"Wait until they've finished." He commands her, holding out a hand. (Name) frowned but nodded. She was about to get comfortable standing by Dogtooth's side, but just as she shifted, he nudged the chair between Vinsmoke Judge and himself. Catching his meaning, (Name) sat down nervously beside the leader of the Germa 66. Once they had finished fawning over the Tamatebako, (Name) stood again, but covered her mouth as she had another bout of coughs. Using his Haki once more, Dogtooth quickly wrapped an arm around her waist and stood as well.

"You're about to pass out. Come on, and try not to cause a scene." He whispered to her as they neared the door. Just as Dogtooth went to grab the door's handle, the door opened slightly and in came Bege.

"Commander Dogtooth? Princess, are you alright?" He asked quietly. (Name) was now using Dogtooth as a crutch and her breathing was becoming more and more ragged with each breath. "Shall I have one of my men take her to the infirmary?"

"Yes." Dogtooth grunted before gently handing (Name) off to Bege.  "I'll give Mama your gift and let her know about the situation." He says, using his Haki once more.

"Thank you." (Name) rasped out, handing him a small albeit heavy box. Turning back around, Bege swept (Name) off her feet, left the party, and then handed her to one of his subordinates.

"B-Bege..." Said man pats her head before whispering to her.

"By now your vision should be getting blurry; don't fight it. Sleep now, and when you wake, you'll be cured and safe. I promise." (Name) barely had time to contemplate what he meant when her vision blackened around the edges and she lost consciousness.

---*Timeskip*---

(Name's) eyes shot open and she found herself staring up at a plain ceiling; the smell of rubbing alcohol and smoke hanging strongly in the air. Turning her head slightly, (Name) realized that she felt exceptionally sore.

'Where am I?' She thought before remembering the Tea Party. 'Shit! The party I must—!'

"Ugh!" She groaned after sitting up quickly. The room spun and (Name) had to take several deep breaths to make it stop. She let the calming sound of waves and gentle rocking soothe her mind.

'Wait, waves?!' (Name) quickly stumbled over to a nearby window and felt a sinking feeling in her gut.

"No... H-How?" She murmured to herself as she sunk to her knees and began trembling. After a moment of thought, she remembered. "Bege...."

Rising to her feet, (Name) went for the door with the intention of questioning said captain, but stopped short when the door opened itself.

"Princess, you're awake. Good. How do you feel?" Bege asked when he walked in. (Name) crossed her arms and scowled.

"You poisoned me, didn't you? Why?" She growled lowly, completely ignoring his inquiry. Letting out a slight sigh, Bege decided to answer her.

"I owed your father a lot. After he died, my debt to him fell to you, his only blood-related kin. The reason I had you poisoned, was because I needed to get you out of Whole Cake Chateau before I initiated my plan." (Name) paled slightly at that.

"Plan? What plan?" She asked, fearing she already knew the answer.

"My plan to assassinate Big Mom. I assume I don't need to inform you of the result." Raising a shaking hand to her mouth, (Name) slowly sat down on a nearby bed.

"...Who else did you kill?" She asked as she silently prayed that he'd left Dogtooth alive.

"The whole building was destroyed during the fighting, aside from our primary target, I cannot say exactly who all died. But, a fair few of the Charlotte Family lost their lives last week." Bege replied remorselessly. On a normal day, (Name) would feel stunned at the cooperation he was displaying, but right now... right now she could only think about whether or not her fiancé had died in the fight.

"I.... I need a minute. Okay?" She murmured weakly. Giving her a curt nod, Bege turned back to the door before saying one more thing.

"We'll be docking in a moment. I'll leave some of my men to keep guard over you. Don't leave without an escort, got it?"

"Yes." The moment Bege left the room, (Name) buried her face in her hands and sighed shakily. The more she thought about Dogtooth's life being ended, the more her eyes watered. Getting back into bed, (Name) pulled the pillow to her side, cuddled it, and cried.

About an hour later, after having cried herself to sleep, (Name) woke up to a loud bang. Sitting up, (Name) frowned when everything went eerily silent. Right when she made to stand up, the door to the infirmary opened. Instead of Bege or Alexander or any of the Firetank Pirates, (Name) found herself staring into the eyes of her fiancé.

"L-Lord Dogtooth?! You're alive! Thank goodness!" She exclaimed, tearing up slightly.

"I should say the same. Bege poisoned you, didn't he?" Dogtooth growled, clenching his fist. "He killed Mama."

"So I've heard. Are you.... Are you here to kill me, Lord Dogtooth?" (Name) whispered out nervously, eyeing his bloody polearm. Taking a few steps closer, Dogtooth sighed when he saw (Name) tense.

"No. I'm—" Before the princess could hear what it was he intended to do, Dogtooth spun around and faced the door seconds before Alexander came in, pistol at the ready.

"Step away from the princess!" Alexander commanded.

"Don't do it, (Name)." Dogtooth commanded, seeing that she would jump in front of him and take the bullet intended for him. (Name) held up a hand.

"Don't shoot him, Alexander. He's just here to talk... I think." Alexander's eyes narrowed as he skirted around the man, gun still trained on him.

"Those corpses outside tell me otherwise, Princess. Can you stand? We need to get you—"

"I'll not run from the man I am to marry!" Alexander stared at her as though she'd grown a second head.

"M'lady, perhaps it hasn't sunk in yet, but Big Mom is dead. Her children have either met the same fate or gone their separate ways. Either way, your betrothal to this man is null and void." (Name) frowned deeply and stood to her full height.

"I don't care that the arranged marriage is non-existent now. If he'll have me, I still wish to marry Lord Dogtooth."

Shaking his head exasperatedly, Alexander jabbed his pistol in Dogtooth's direction. "It's because of this man that a civil war has broken out back home! If you marry him, the kingdom will fall to chaos!"

"Then..." (Name) took a tentative step toward Dogtooth, who held out his hand for her to take. "Then I won't marry him as the princess. I'll give up my right to the throne, and perhaps we'll be left to live our lives in relative peace?"

"I'm not sure about 'peace', but..." Dogtooth cupped her cheek and ran a thumb gently below her eye. Pulling her slightly closer, Dogtooth leant down and whispered the rest of his sentence. "I'll never let someone hurt you again. Besides, I don't think the throne really suits either of us."

"No, nor do I. Alexander," (Name) began as she turned back to her butler. Taking off her necklace of silver and sapphires, she handed it to him before continuing. "I have one last order for you, old friend. Take this to my mother; tell her the truth or tell her I died, it hardly matters to me. Just make sure she knows that I love her and that I'm sorry for not making it home."

"Your majesty... Y-You can't be serious! You'd give up your life for him?" Taking Dogtooth's hand again, (Name) turned toward the door and replied.

"You might want to get off this ship here soon. Dogtooth wants his revenge, y'know? Be safe." She told him with a wave. As soon as she'd set foot outside the infirmary, Dogtooth lifted (Name) up and slung her over his shoulder.

"Where ever you want to go." He told her in response to her unspoken question.

(Name) huffed lightly and drummed her fingers on his back. "I really hate it when you do that. I'd at least like to ask the question before you answer it, y'know."

"My apologies." Dogtooth said, sounding quite the opposite of sorry.

"Hmm~ I've never been to the East Blue before. Can we go there?" Hopping down to a decent sized boat, Dogtooth set (Name) down on a stack of crates before turning toward the Firetank Pirate's ship. Pulling out a handful of jelly beans, Dogtooth flicked them at the ship and made holes in the hull. (Name) leant to the side to see around him and sighed.

"Bege's not gonna be happy with me... At any rate you never answered my question." Dogtooth turned to her and nodded.

"Of course. One more thing..."

"And what's that?" Dogtooth pulled down his scarf and placed a gentle kiss upon the ex-princess' lips.

"Just so you know, your butler was wrong. I do care greatly for you." Knowing that she wouldn't get any closer to an 'I love you' at the moment, (Name) beamed and wrapped her arms around his neck before pecking his cheek.

"Right back at ya, handsome. Now!" She hopped down from the crates. "Off to the East Blue we go~!"